Treadmill with dual reciprocating treads

Abstract

A treadmill device includes a frame, and two side-by-side treadmills each having a continuous tread and first and second ends. The first ends of the two treadmills are pivotably supported on a base portion of the frame by a roller shaft which extends through the treadmill rollers. The second ends of the treadmills are independently supported by spring return hydraulic cylinders which are connected between the treadmills and spaced support members of the frame. The continuous treads are driven by a motor which is coupled to the roller shaft. The treadmills alternately pivot up and down as a user walks thereon.

We claim: 
     
       1. Treadmill apparatus comprising: first and second adjacent treadmills each having a continuous tread, and first and second ends;   a frame pivotably supporting the first ends of said first and second treadmills;   first and second spring means for supporting the respective second ends of said first and second treadmills in a first position above a supporting surface; and   first and second resistance means for resisting downward pivoting movement of said first and second treadmills from said first position to a second position as a user's weight is placed upon said treadmills, said first and second spring means returning said first and second treadmills from said second position to said first position when said user's weight is removed from said first and second treadmills, said first and second treadmills alternately pivoting up and down about said first ends as a user treads thereon.   
     
     
       2. The treadmill apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for driving said continuous treads. 
     
     
       3. In the treadmill apparatus of claim 2, said first and second treadmills having rollers at said first and second ends for rotatably supporting said continuous treads, said first ends of said first and second treadmills being pivotably supported on said frame about an axis of said rollers. 
     
     
       4. The treadmill apparatus of claim 3 further comprising an elongated roller shaft which passes through said rollers at said first ends of said first and second treadmills, said roller shaft being rotatably supported on said frame means. 
     
     
       5. In the treadmill apparatus of claim 4, said drive means comprising a motor having a rotatable drive shaft and transmission means for transmitting rotation of said motor drive shaft to said roller shaft for rotation of said rollers and said continuous treads. 
     
     
       6. In the treadmill apparatus of claim 1, said first and second resistance means comprising first and second hydraulic cylinders which are connected between said frame and said first and second treadmills. 
     
     
       7. In the treadmill apparatus of claim 1, said first and second treadmills having rigid treadmill platforms for supporting said continuous treads thereon, said first and second resistance means comprising first and second hydraulic cylinders which are connected between said frame and said treadmill platforms. 
     
     
       8. In the treadmill apparatus of claim 6, said frame including a base and two spaced support members which extend upwardly from said base, said first and second hydraulic cylinders being connected between said spaced support members and said treadmill platforms. 
     
     
       9. In the treadmill apparatus of claim 1, said first and second spring means and said first and second resistance means comprising first and second spring return hydraulic cylinders which are connected between said frame means and said first and second treadmills. 
     
     
       10. The treadmill apparatus of claim 5 further comprising control means for controlling operation of said motor. 
     
     
       11. The treadmill apparatus of claim 1 further comprising electronic monitoring means for monitoring time, horizontal distance travelled and vertical distance travelled. 
     
     
       12. In the treadmill apparatus of claim 11, said monitoring means including a graphical display for graphically charting an average inclination being travelled by a user. 
     
     
       13. In the treadmill apparatus of claim 8, said first and second hydraulic cylinders each having a first end which is connected to a first flange on said treadmill platforms and a second end which is connected to a second flange on said spaced support members, said second flange being adjustably moveable on said support member for adjusting an inclination of said treadmill.